Dental Braces For Kids | How To Keep Your Braces And Teeth Clean

Posted in Article

August 13, 2014

If your child has braces, then chances are that he or she is looking forward to the time when they will be removed. While the main role of the dental braces is to align your child’s teeth, in some cases, many of them get a jolt of disappointment when they are removed. Instead of the perfectly parallel pearly whites they were hoping for, they observe dull, stained teeth, gum diseases and even cavities.

In the vast majority of cases, the poor health of your child’s teeth is due to the bad oral hygiene during the time they had the braces on. Let’s explore the effective teeth cleaning techniques your children should undergo while they are wearing dental braces.

Pay attention to your child’s brushing technique

When the child has the braces on, plaque is more likely to develop on the teeth. Because food particles, saliva and bacteria settle on the enamel more easily and start decomposing faster, it is highly recommended that he brushes his teeth after every meal. In case brushing is not always possible, it is of paramount importance that he at least makes an effort of swishing his mouth with water after eating something.

To avoid most dental problems in the long run, your child may need to invest three to four times more effort than he did before having braces. Having your child rinse his mouth with water makes brushing as smooth as possible. In order to effectively remove food particles from between the brackets and wires of the dental brace, it’s best to use a soft brittle or a proxy toothbrush. Take note that the toothbrush should be replaced every three months or earlier. Lastly, before he goes to bed, it is advisable to have him rinse with a fluoride-based solution; this keeps his teeth healthy and strong.

Your child should floss at least once per day

While many skip this teeth cleaning procedure, flossing is an essential oral practice care when the braces are in place. Granted, flossing through the wires and brackets of the dental braces can be a daunting task. Then again, not flossing can spell trouble for your child’s dental health. Flossing does not only ensure all food particles stuck between the brackets are removed, but it is also effective in keeping your child’s gums healthy. Moreover, let’s not forget that the flossing thread can reach the crannies and nooks in the teeth, meaning those areas that are difficult to reach with a regular toothbrush.

The less troublesome method of flossing is with flossers that have picks on one end. Ideally, you should shop around for a flosser that features a no-slip handle or grip. Although such flossers simplify the process, take note that young children don’t have the dexterity to floss successfully. Therefore, you might have to floss his teeth for him.

On a side note, in case he doesn’t have the patient to quietly sit down while you floss his teeth, then you should consider investing in a battery powered flosser. To make this as smooth as possible for both of you, have him watch his favorite TV show or listen to music while you floss. Alternatively, you can get the flossing professionally done at a dental clinic once per months.

Dental braces will require regular professional cleaning

To prevent most dental problems in the future, it is advisable to take your child for his regular cleaning and checkup every six months. The dentist can point out the areas that require more attention and also make sure that both the brace and his teeth are clean and healthy. Moreover, the dentist can help you pick up more suitable tooth cleaning tools, especially if you have experienced troubles with the ones you’re currently using.